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Construction Safety Management

Anonymous

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Asked: Jun 18th, 2013

Question description

Solar Panel Installer Dies from Fall

On the day of the accident, the victimand his co-worker were carrying and installing electrical solar panels on theroof of a warehouse. The roof contained skylights, which were marked by the manufactureras “tested in accordance” with OSHA fall protection standards. The general contractorhad reviewed the job safety requirements including fall protection plans. Basedon the information that the skylights had been tested in accordance with OSHAstandards, no other fall protection measures were implemented at the job site.There are currently no uniform test criteria to determine material strength ofskylights to withstand worker impact. The solar panels were boxed and placed onthe roof by a crane. Each panel was approximately 2 feet wide by 4 feet long,and weighed 24 pounds. The victim and co-worker were carrying two panels at atime. As they approached a skylight, they had to maneuver around it with only18 inches of clearance. The victim turned and walked backwards, tripping on theraised edge of the skylight. He landed on the skylight in a sitting positionand then, without warning, the plastic dome

glazing broke. As the victim startedto fall, a co-worker reached out and tried to grab his foot, but was unable toreach him in time. The victim fell approximately 40 feet to the warehouse floorbelow. Numerous workers with radios immediately called the office to report theincident and those with cell phones immediately called 911. The paramedics andfire department responded within minutes and pronounced the victim dead at thescene.

What went wrong? What caused thisfatality? How could this accident have been prevented? Provide at least threerecommendations.